Neeraj Chopra Returns to Ostrava for Golden Spike 2025 Showdown

After Injury Breaks, Olympic Champion Set to Compete on Coach Jan Zelezny’s Home Turf Against World-Class Javelin Throwers

Mumbai : Neeraj Chopra, India’s two-time Olympic medallist, is set to return to action at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, on Tuesday. This marks Chopra’s long-awaited debut at Ostrava after being forced to withdraw from the last two editions due to injury.

Fresh off his remarkable performance at the Paris Diamond League, where he crossed the 90m mark for the first time in his career, the reigning Tokyo Olympic champion and Paris 2024 silver medallist is aiming to extend his winning momentum. His strong form this season has generated significant anticipation for his showdown in Ostrava.

The men’s javelin throw event will feature a strong nine-man field, including Germany’s Thomas Rohler, the 2016 Olympic gold medallist, and Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist. Other competitors include Jan Viska, Alexander Kaka, and Martin Konecny from Czechia; Du Smit from South Africa; Mark Anthony Minichiello from the USA; and Toni Keranen from Finland.

Notably, Chopra will compete in Ostrava, the home ground of his new coach Jan Zelezny, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest javelin throwers in history. Zelezny is also the current world record holder (94.64m) and the organiser of the Golden Spike meet. Interestingly, the meeting record of 94.64m also belongs to him.

The Golden Spike is the most prestigious track and field meet in Czech Republic and one of the oldest athletic events in Europe, first held in 1961. Since 2019, it has been part of the World Athletics Continental Tour – Gold, a second-tier elite competition just below the Diamond League.

When and Where to Watch:
The men’s javelin throw event at Ostrava will begin at 10:30 PM IST. Indian fans can watch the live streaming of the event on the official YouTube channel of Ostrava Golden Spike. There will be no live telecast on TV in India.

As Neeraj Chopra eyes another top finish, fans across India will be hoping for another record-breaking throw from their golden boy.